The Queen has had a very good year so far, with the excellent Royal wedding and also the highly successful state visit to Ireland, as well as that of President Obama to the United Kingdom.

It would have been a perfect post-script if her horse Carlton House had lived up to its form as the Derby favourite, but unfortunately it was beaten yesterday by the French horse Pour Moi in a thrilling contest.

Those knowledgeable punters who fancied the French mount are no doubt happy with the result, but the Derby showed that even in a good year the Queen can't win everything.